Work storage unit

ABSTRACT

A work storage unit having a base and a door pivotally attached to the base. The door may be in a vertical, closed position, with respect to the base providing secure storage of items. When in the closed position, the door of the work storage unit fits within the outer edge of the base. The door may also be moved to a horizontal, open position, with respect to the base. When in the open position, various compartments are revealed which provide access to the items. The work storage unit can be mounted on a wall, the base lying generally parallel to the wall, thereby not taking up valuable floor space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 29/168,321, filed on Sep. 30, 2002, now pending.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a work storage unit,and more particularly to a wall-mountable work storage unit forproviding a retractable work surface and providing for storing andorganizing parts, tools, supplies and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In many areas such as garages, basements, laundry rooms, or thelike, space is limited. There exists a need for a work storage unit thatis foldable to a relatively thin depth and which is wall-mountable foruse and/or storage, whereby floor space is made available for othertools, equipment and/or vehicles; a work storage unit that provides foreasy access to tools and deployment of a work surface by pivoting thework surface from a closed storage position to an open working position;a work storage unit that has a work platform that is easily adjustablebetween a closed, vertical position and an open, working position,whereby the work surface may be positioned horizontally with respect tothe base; and that, when not in use, the work surface may be pivoted toa closed position, positioned vertically with respect to the base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention meets the above-described need by providinga base unit with a retractable work surface and a plurality of storagecompartments and shelves. The work surface is pivotally attached to thehousing such that it pivots between a vertical closed position and ahorizontal open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which likereference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout thefigures of which:

[0006]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a work storage unit shown ina closed position in accordance with the present invention;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of a work storage unit inaccordance with the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of a work storage unitshown in a closed position in accordance with the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 4a is a front elevational view of a bracket for mounting thework storage unit to a wall in accordance with the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 4b is a right side elevational view of the mounting bracketof FIG. 4a;

[0011]FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a work storage unit shown in anopen position in accordance with the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 5b is an exploded perspective view of the work storage unitof FIG. 5a;

[0013]FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view of the work storage unit shownin a closed position taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 6b is the cross-sectional view of the work storage unit ofFIG. 6a shown in an open position;

[0015]FIG. 6c is a cross-sectional view of the work storage unit shownin a closed position taken along line B-B of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the base of the work storage unit ofFIG. 4b;

[0017]FIG. 8a is a top plan view of the door of the work storage unit inaccordance with the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view of the door of the work storageunit taken along line A-A of FIG. 8a;

[0019]FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the door of the work storage unit ofFIG. 8a;

[0020]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thework storage unit of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the base of the workstorage unit of FIG. 10;

[0022]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an accessory shelf; and,

[0023]FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a center divider.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] In FIG. 1, the work storage unit 1 includes a base 2 and a door3. The base 2 of the work storage unit 1 is configured to be verticallymounted on a wall (not shown). The base further includes a rim 6 whichdefines the periphery of the base. The base 2 has a depth D, shown inFIG. 3. The rim 6 of the base surrounds and defines an opening 52 in thebase, shown in FIG. 5a, used for storage of items.

[0025] The door 3 is hingedly mounted to the base 2, as can be seen inFIG. 5a. The door 3 is moveable between a closed position wherein thedoor lies substantially parallel to the base 2, and an open, workingposition, wherein the door lies substantially perpendicular to the base.Further, the door 3 is sized as to fit within the rim 6 of the base 2,when the work storage unit 1 is in the closed position. That is, theouter edge 8 of the door 3 fits within the rim 6 of the base 2, the doorbeing partially recessed into the base.

[0026] The door 3 includes a recess 10 which acts as a handle forgripping and facilitating moving the door to and from the open and theclosed positions. An indentation 12 may also be included in the door 3into which a name plate or other suitable identification means (notshown) can be located.

[0027] The base 2 and door 3, and the various components containedwithin, which will be discussed later, can be constructed of plastic,metal, composite material, or other suitable material as to provide alightweight and strong work storage unit.

[0028] A locking mechanism 7 may also be included in the door, which canbe any conventional locking mechanism.

[0029] Turning to FIG. 2, as noted above, the door 3 fits within the rim6 of the base 2 and can therefore not be seen from the rear elevationalview. Detachably connected to the rear of the base 2 is a mountingbracket 40, which fits into a mounting slot 22 located on the rear ofthe base 2. The function of the mounting bracket 40 and the mountingslot 22 is explained in greater detail below in connection with FIGS. 4aand 4 b. Stop mechanisms 24 can also be seen from the rear elevationalview of the base 2. The stop mechanisms are discussed in greater detaillater in connection with FIGS. 5b and 6 c.

[0030] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the outer edge 8 of the door 3 fitswithin the rim 6 of the base 2, and is aligned substantially parallel tothe base. The base 2 further includes grooves 14, which will beexplained in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5b and 7.

[0031] In FIGS. 4a and 4 b, the mounting bracket includes a back portion41 and an angled portion 45. The back portion 41 is configured to bevertically mounted to a wall (not shown). The back portion 41 of themounting bracket 40 has a plurality of through-holes 44 whereby wallmounting screws 42 are utilized to mount the mounting bracket 40 to thewall (not shown). The through-holes 44 lie on 16″ centers so as to alignwith studs in a conventionally constructed wall. Washers 43 may also beutilized as is standard practice.

[0032] The mounting slot 22 of the base 2 of the work storage unit 1,shown in FIG. 2, engages the angled portion 45 (best shown in FIG. 4b)of the mounting bracket 40. When the mounting bracket 40 is mounted to awall, the mounting slot 22 can then be aligned with the mounting bracket40, thereby supporting the work storage unit 1 vertically against thewall (not shown). After engaging the mounting slot 22 on the angledportion 45 of the mounting bracket 40, base mounting screws 46, shown inFIG. 5b, are inserted through mounting holes 49, shown in FIG. 5a, andthe base 2 is thereby secured to the mounting bracket at base mountinglocations 48. Further washers 43 may also be utilized in conjunctionwith the base mounting screws 46. Securing the base to the mountingbracket ensures that the work storage unit will be stable both in theclosed position, and when in use in the open position. Although workstorage unit 1 is illustrated with four mounting holes 49, it will bereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that fewermounting holes 49 may also be used, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0033] As the base 2 of the work storage unit 1 is secured to themounting bracket 40 by means of base mounting screws 46, the workstorage unit 1 may at any time be removed from the mounting bracket 40.However, the mounting bracket 40 is retained on the wall (not shown) toensure easy re-mounting of the work storage unit to the wall.

[0034] In the open position, shown in FIG. 5a, the door 3 liessubstantially perpendicular with respect to the base 2. This isaccomplished by the stop mechanisms 24. As shown in FIG. 5b, the stopmechanisms 24 include guide blocks 26 and channels 30. The guide blocks26 protrude generally perpendicular from the rear edge 81 of the door 3.The channels 30 are formed proximal to the lower surface 62 formed inthe base 2, which can be seen in FIG. 6c. When the door 3 is movedbetween the opened and the closed position, the guide blocks 26 ridewithin the channels 30, inhibiting lateral movement of the door 3 withinthe base 2. In the open position, a top portion 28 of the guide blocks26 abut against the lower surface 62 formed in the base 3, shown in FIG.6c. This arrangement provides rigidity to the door in the open position.

[0035] In FIG. 5b, the door 3 attaches to the base 2 by means of pins 80being inserted into holes 70. Guide blocks 26 also align with channels30.

[0036] The base 2 further includes a plurality of grooves 14 whichprotrude into the opening 52 of the base 2. The functionality of thegrooves 14 will be discussed in greater detail later with regard to FIG.7.

[0037] As can be seen in FIG. 6a, the outer edge 8 of the door 3 isdimensioned to fit within the rim 6 of the base 2. In the closedposition, the door 3 is partially recessed into the opening 52 of thebase 2. This provides secure closure of the work storage unit 1 as wellas reduces the overall depth of the work storage unit 1 when in theclosed position.

[0038] As can be seen in FIG. 6b, the door 3 lies generallyperpendicular to the base 2. This allows access to the various itemsstored within the work storage unit.

[0039] In FIG. 6c, this cross-sectional view shows the stop mechanism24. As previously discussed, the stop mechanism includes a guide block26 formed integral with the rear edge 81 of the door 3. Duringoperation, i.e., opening and closing the door 3, the guide block 26rides in the channel 30. When the door 3 is opened, and lies generallyperpendicular to the base 2, the guide block 26 abuts with a lowersurface 62 formed in the base. To improve stability and strength in thedoor 3 in the open position, a step-like protrusion 64 molded integrallywith the door 3, abuts with the rim 6 of the base 2.

[0040] Turning to FIG. 7, depending upon a user's storage requirements,various components can be used interchangeably within the work storageunit. For example, removable wall 55 a is configured to be inserted intoand removed from slot 58 a. Although not shown, the base 2 has a furtherslot formed opposite to, and corresponding to, slot 58 a, therebyforming a pair. Removable wall 55 a accordingly fits into the pair ofslots, and is thereby supported. The removable shelf 56, which can beinserted through the inlet 53 of removable wall 55 a, is configured tobe inserted into slot 58 c. Removable shelf 56 has fingers 57 at one endwhich may be used to store drill bits, screwdriver bits, or other smallitems. Removable wall 55 b is configured to be inserted into and removedfrom slot 58 b and its corresponding slot (not shown) which is formed inthe base opposite to slot 58 b.

[0041] When removable wall 55 b is inserted into slot 58 b, storageboxes 50 are able to be utilized as needed. Removable wall 55 b includesa pocket 59 on one side for storing pencils, rulers, et al., and on theother opposite side includes furrows 54. The storage boxes 50 aresupported on, and are slideably moveable, in the furrows 54 of removablewall 55 b, and in grooves 14 formed in the base 2 which protrude intothe opening 52 of the base 2. The storage boxes 50 can be anyconventional storage box which include lids 51 that are detachablyconnected to the storage boxes 51. The various components of the base 2can also be seen in FIGS. 5a and 5 b.

[0042] In FIG. 8a, the door has pins 80 formed integrally with the doorand located proximal to the rear edge 81 of the door. The pins 80 areinserted into holes 70, shown in FIG. 7, of the base 2 thereby pivotallyattaching the door 3 to the base 2. In attaching the door to the base 2,the guide blocks 26 are aligned with the channels 30 of the base. Thevarious components of the door 3 can also be seen in FIGS. 5a and 5 b.

[0043] In FIG. 8b, the door 3 has a depth d which allows for troughs 88and cavities 90 to be formed therein for storage of various items. Adepression 84 (FIG. 9) is also formed in the door 3 into which anon-skid mat 85 may be inserted. The troughs 88 and the non-skid mat 85are used as work surfaces while the door is in the open position. Whileworking, a user may rest tools or parts on the non-skid mat 85, or intothe troughs 88, so that the tools or parts are not lost and are easilyaccessible. A name plate 86 may also be included in the door foridentification purposes.

[0044] Formed within opposing ends of the door 3 are cavities 90, asshown in FIGS. 8a and 9. The cavities are used for storing various smallitems such as nuts, bolts, washers, etc. The cavities are covered bywindows 94 which are attached to the door 3 in a conventional manner.The windows are formed of a clear or translucent plastic material sothat items stored within may be viewed without the need for opening thewindows 94. The cavities 90 include partition slots 93 formed in theirbottom 91 and side surfaces 95. Removable partitions 92 may be insertedinto and removed from the partition slots 93. The removable partitions92, when inserted, are vertically arranged within cavities to formseparate storage compartments, as needed. The windows 94 includeprotrusions 96 for gripping and opening the windows. The protrusions 96fit within holes 98 formed contiguous to cavities 90. When the windows94 are closed, they lie flush with the inner surface 60 of the door.When in the open position, the doors lie at approximately 100 degreeswith respect to the inner surface 60 of the door. This enables easyaccess to the items stored within the cavities. With the windows 94closed, the items stored within the cavities 90 are securely held andtherefore organized. When the door 3 of the work storage unit is closedinto the base 2, the items stored within the cavities 90 remain securedtherein.

[0045] Turning to FIGS. 10 and 11, an alternate embodiment of the workstorage unit 1 is shown. On the left hand side of FIG. 10, a firstpartition wall 100 is received in a pair of slots 103 formed in the baseunit 106. The partition wall 100 has a plurality of slots 109 arrangedto align with slots 112 formed in the side of base unit 106. Removableshelf 115 is capable of being supported in the opposed slots. Thepartition wall 100 also has slots 118 formed on the side opposite slots109. On the right hand side of the FIG. 10, a second partition wall 121has slots 124 arranged to align with slots 112 formed in the right sideof base unit 106. The slots 112 are formed in the right side wall thesame as shown on the left side. A plurality of drawers 130 are sizedsuch that a lid portion 133 of the drawers slides into slots 124 onpartition wall 121 and slots 112 formed in the right side of the baseunit 106. The drawers 130 can also be received in the aligned slots 109,112 on the left hand side. Door 3 fits into base unit 106 in the mannerdescribed above. Accordingly, the drawers 130 and shelves 115 may bearranged in numerous ways based on the user's preference. Slots 118 and127 align and face toward the middle of the unit.

[0046] Turning to FIG. 12, an accessory shelf 140 having moldedcompartments 143 is sized to span the central opening between slots 118and 127. The shelf 140 may also include openings 148 for receiving itemssuch as screwdrivers or the like. The opposite sides of the shelf 140have extended portions 146 sized to engage with the slots 118, 127. Theshelf 140 is reversible. When the shelf 140 is flipped over from theposition shown in FIG. 12, the divider 200 (FIG. 13) can engage withslot 152 and with a groove in the top wall of the base. With divider 200installed in the shelf 140, slots 210 and 215 on opposite sides of thedivider 200 are brought into alignment with slots 118 and 127 to providesupport for additional drawers 130.

[0047] In FIG. 13, a center divider 200 has an extended portion 203capable of engaging with a slot 152 disposed in the accessory shelf 140.The divider provides for adding additional shelves 115 or drawers 130 tothe unit 1.

[0048] While the invention has been described in connection with certainembodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

We claim:
 1. A wall mounted work storage unit, comprising: a base unitconfigured for being vertically mounted to a wall and defining a baseplane, the base unit having at least one opening extending to ahorizontal surface disposed in the base unit, the base unit having aplurality of slots disposed therein; a door pivotally attached to thebase unit and defining a work plane, the door movable between an openposition wherein the work plane is disposed generally perpendicular tothe base plane and a closed position wherein the work plane is generallyparallel to the base plane, the door having a stop structure extendingtherefrom, the stop structure extending through the opening in the baseunit and engaging with the horizontal surface when the door is in theopen position; at least one partition wall disposed on the base unit andhaving a plurality of slots disposed therein; and, at least one drawerhaving a lid capable of engaging with at least one of the slots in thebase unit and at least one of the slots in the partition wall.
 2. Thewall mounted work storage unit of claim 1, wherein the door furthercomprises a planar work surface.
 3. The wall mounted work storage unitof claim 1, wherein the door further comprises a planar work surfacesurrounded by at least one storage compartment.
 4. The wall mounted workstorage unit of claim 1, wherein the door further comprises a planarwork surface surrounded by a plurality of storage compartments.
 5. Thewall mounted work storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a tapemeasure disposed on the door adjacent to a planar work surface.
 6. Thewall mounted work storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a planarwork surface on the door surrounded by at least one compartment having atranslucent cover pivotally attached adjacent thereto.
 7. The wallmounted work storage unit of claim 1, further comprising at least oneshelf capable of engaging with at least one of the slots in the baseunit and at least one of the slots in the partition wall.
 8. A wallmounted work storage unit, comprising: a base unit having top and bottomwalls, side walls, and a rear wall, the side walls having slots definedtherein, the rear wall having a groove disposed on an exterior surfacethereof and having a plurality of openings defined therethrough, thebase unit configured for being vertically mounted to a wall and defininga base plane, the base unit having at least one opening extending to ahorizontal surface disposed in the base unit; a mounting bracket havinga straight portion with openings defined therein and having an angledportion, the straight portion of the mounting bracket capable of beingmounted to a standard wall having studs spaced apart at a uniformstandard distance, the angled portion capable of sliding into the groovedisposed on the exterior surface of the rear wall for attachmentthereto; a door pivotally attached to the base unit and defining a workplane, the door movable between an open position wherein the work planeis disposed generally perpendicular to the base plane and a closedposition wherein the work plane is generally parallel to the base plane,the door having a stop structure extending therefrom, the stop structureextending through the opening in the base unit and engaging with thehorizontal surface when the door is in the open position; at least onepartition wall disposed on the base unit and having a plurality of slotsdisposed therein; and, at least one drawer having a lid capable ofengaging with at least one of the slots in the base unit and at leastone of the slots in the partition wall.
 9. The wall mounted work storageunit of claim 8, wherein the door further comprises a planar worksurface.
 10. The wall mounted work storage unit of claim 8, wherein thedoor further comprises a planar work surface surrounded by at least onestorage compartment.
 11. The wall mounted work storage unit of claim 8,wherein the door further comprises a planar work surface surrounded by aplurality of storage compartments.
 12. The wall mounted work storageunit of claim 9, further comprising a ruler disposed adjacent to theplanar work surface.
 13. The wall mounted work storage unit of claim 8,wherein the door has a planar work surface surrounded by at least onecompartment having a translucent cover pivotally attached adjacentthereto.
 14. The wall mounted work storage unit of claim 8 further,comprising at least one shelf capable of engaging with at least one ofthe slots in the base unit and at least one of the slots in one of thepartition walls.
 15. A wall mounted work storage unit, comprising: abase unit having top and bottom walls, side walls, and a rear wall, theside walls having slots defined therein, the rear wall having a groovedisposed on an exterior surface thereof and having a plurality ofopenings defined therethrough, the base unit configured for beingvertically mounted to a wall and defining a base plane, the base unithaving at least one opening extending to a horizontal surface disposedin the base unit; a mounting bracket having a straight portion withopenings defined therein and having an angled portion, the straightportion of the mounting bracket capable of being mounted to a standardwall having studs spaced apart at a uniform standard distance, theangled portion capable of sliding into the groove disposed on theexterior surface of the rear wall for attachment thereto; a doorpivotally attached to the base unit and defining a work plane, the doormovable between an open position wherein the work plane is disposedgenerally perpendicular to the base plane and a closed position whereinthe work plane is generally parallel to the base plane, the door havinga stop structure extending therefrom, the stop structure extendingthrough the opening in the base unit and engaging with the horizontalsurface when the door is in the open position; at least two partitionwalls disposed on the base unit and having a plurality of slots disposedtherein; at least one drawer having a lid capable of engaging with atleast one of the slots in the base unit and at least one of the slots inone of the partition walls; an accessory shelf disposed in the middle ofthe unit and having a first end engaged with the slots in one of thepartition walls and having a second end engaged with the slots in theother partition wall; and, a center divider disposed adjacent theaccessory shelf and having a plurality of slots disposed therein, theslots arranged so as to align with the slots in one of the partitionwalls.
 16. The wall mounted work storage unit of claim 15, wherein thedoor further comprises a planar work surface.
 17. The wall mounted workstorage unit of claim 15, wherein the door further comprises a planarwork surface surrounded by at least one storage compartment.
 18. Thewall mounted work storage unit of claim 15, wherein the door furthercomprises a planar work surface surrounded by a plurality of storagecompartments.
 19. The wall mounted work storage unit of claim 15,further comprising a tape measure disposed adjacent to the planar worksurface.
 20. The wall mounted work storage unit of claim 15, wherein thedoor has a planar work surface surrounded by at least one compartmenthaving a translucent cover pivotally attached adjacent thereto.
 21. Thewall mounted work storage unit of claim 15, further comprising a lock.22. The wall mounted work storage unit of claim 15, further comprising ahandle formed integrally in the lower surface of the door such that thedoor can be grasped by the handle when the door is in the closedposition.
 23. The wall mounted work storage unit, of claim 15 furthercomprising at least one shelf capable of engaging with at least one ofthe slots in the base unit and at least one of the slots in thepartition wall.
 24. The wall mounted work storage unit of claim 15,wherein the accessory shelf is reversible such that it has a groove on afirst side and has at least one compartment disposed on a second sideopposite the first side.